Tamil Nadu’s first Heidelberg Speedmaster SX 52 Anicolor Press installed at Rajam Digital

Chennai’s Rajam Digital has recently installed the Heidelberg Speedmaster SX 52 Anicolor press, the first in Tamil Nadu. The print shop which was established in 2008 as a digital print shop specialising in photo albums, later expanded its footprint into commercial printing in 2011. The firm continues to retain a market-dominant position in the digital photo album space in Chennai and the rest of Tamil Nadu. The print shop also caters to overseas customers. The latest addition of the Speedmaster SX 52 Anicolor complements an existing suite of digital and offset presses and finishing equipment, making Rajam Digital the unique, one-stop solution in Chennai to cater to diverse printing needs.

“Heidelberg Speedmaster SX 52 Anicolor is certainly an impressive addition to our portfolio. We see a shift in business from digital printing to Anicolor printing. Many of our customers prefer the Anicolor, because of swift delivery, premium quality and flexible pricing,” beams Viswakumar, a self-taught entrepreneur and passionate printer. The Speedmaster SX 52 is a hybrid press, combining the cutting-edge performance innovation of the XL class with the tried-and-tested Speedmaster SM 52 platform. The Anicolor press is adept at handling short-run print jobs, starting from as low as 100 sheets onwards. This is possible, because the short, zone less Anicolor inking unit consists of fewer rollers with a dampening system that facilitates quick and even inking. No tedious inking adjustments are required with the Anicolor, as it is extremely easy to operate. This implies a reduction in startup waste to just less than five sheets, and shortening make-ready times to less than six minutes per job. Anicolor offers users the flexibility to deliver first-rate quality at significantly lower costs per sheet for higher runs, which makes the technology competitive vs. digital print products.

Ganesh Kumar, Senior Sales Manager, Heidelberg, further extols the merits, “The Anicolor inking unit produces ghost-free printing, by ensuring consistent quality through the entire production run. In combination with Heidelberg’s Prinect color management, Anicolor delivers outstanding results.”

Alongside the Speedmaster SX 52 Anicolor, the print firm has also invested in a Heidelberg Suprasetter A7 5CTP, complementing an existing suite of digital and offset presses and finishing equipment’s. With the recent additions, Rajam Digital gains the distinction of being the unique, one-stop solution in Chennai to cater to diverse printing needs.

“On average, we run about 25 to 30 jobs in a 10-hour shift. That’s a pretty good number. The Anicolor lowers costs for short-runs, and generates premium quality output at digital speeds. Our Suprasetter CtP further supports the performance of Anicolor with the seamless plate output. Gradually, we pushed up productivity. Now, we utilize the SX- 52 to its maximum capability,” states Viswakumar, who is also the Vice President of the MPLA or the Madras Printers’ & Lithographers’ Association.

Ganesh Kumar adds, “The definite advantage over conventional offset printing can be fully realized while using a Speedmaster SX 52 Anicolor for four-color, standard commercial jobs in runs ranging from 100 to 500 sheets.”

Viswakumar comments on his other acquisition, “Our Suprasetter CtP A75 reinforces the performance of Anicolor with seamless plate output. The A75 is equipped with highly accurate internal punching systems to provide maximum register accuracy, in turn reducing press make-ready times.” The versatile A75 handle conventional, process less and chemical-free thermal plates, with a productivity of 17 to 22 plates per hour. Production reliability is ensured through the Intelligent Diode System (IDS), which ensures that operation can continue, even if a diode fails.An autodidact printer, Viswakumar also identified a new revenue stream to profit from Anicolor‘s ability to print on even 4’’ X 6” paper bits. When paper is cut for printing jobs, printers are usually left with 4’’ X 20’’ cutting bits that can be used only for recycling. “But, Anicolor has changed the equation. We use these paper bits to print visiting cards or wedding cards,” says an excited Viswakumar, who calls the strategy “From Cutting bits to commercial prints.” The Speedmaster SX 52 Anicolor can print on any paper with thickness ranging from 0.03 mm to 0.40 mm. It can handle sheet sizes varying between a minimum of 105 mm x 145 mm and a maximum of 370 mm x 520 mm. “It’s a splendid combo. The Anicolor & A75,” concludes Vishwa Kumar on a happy note.